Suburban theater for the week of Dec. 14-20

Kerry Reid, Special to the Tribune

"The Radio City Christmas Spectacular": The Rockettes have entered the digital age — their show now features a 50-foot LED screen and even more fabulous visual effects. But the greatest effect of all remains the high kickers themselves, celebrating 85 years of showing off in style for the holidays. (Well, not the same dancers, of course.) This all-new show features visits to beloved seasonal locales such as Santa's Workshop and Times Square, as well as the classic "living Nativity" and the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.

"Christmas Bingo: It's a Ho-Ho-Holy Night": The "Late Nite Catechism" franchise puts on its holiday finest for this show, which features an actual Bingo game. (We're not sure if the gaming laws in Arlington Heights allow you to take home cash winnings, however.) Sister has a stocking-full of Christmas trivia on hand to test the faithful.

"It's a Wonderful Life": The increasingly popular radio-play version of the Frank Capra film (originally scripted by Capra, Frances Goodrich, and Albert Hackett) hits a couple more local venues. The Rialto Square performance will be broadcast live over 1340 WJOL-AM radio, and the Wheaton Drama production includes dance and musical interludes.

"Happy Karaoke Fun Time": The song remains the same — but the lyrics are up for grabs in this Annoyance production that melds karaoke and improv as performers have to come up with new words to popular tunes on the spot. This North Shore version includes an opening set with teen improvisers from the Wilmette Theatre's Actors Training Center.

"The Good Doctor": Piven Theatre co-founder Joyce Piven has had a long-running love affair with the work of Anton Chekhov, and now she presents a "salon staging" of Neil Simon's 1973 homage to the Russian master of missteps.